Patch tubes or throw them away?

fixie fox

I used to patch tubes one time but then someone told me that a patch wouldn't hold over 100 PSI and I should just throw them away, which I have being doing for a good number of years.
Does anyone patch them successfully?

Raam

Patch them and then throw them away after you make a balls of the patch.

Idleater

Pretty much work for me all the time. Pressures from 95-120

crosstownk

I patch them once the puncture is a small hole. I've never had a problem and my tyres are always inflated to over 100psi.

No sense in wasting a tube for the sake of a 5 minute patch job.

doozerie

I always patch tubes, and I rarely have a patch fail. For someone to claim that patches don't hold over 100psi suggests they don't know how to patch a tube properly.

My view is that there is enough stuff going into landfill already, I don't like the idea of adding to that with a tube that is perfectly serviceable.

lismore7

Have patched 2 tubes this year and still riding on them, no bother for me at 100psi

fixie fox

Ok - I'm back to patching. Where do you get small, good-quality patches?

lismore7

fixie fox wrote: »

Ok - I'm back to patching. Where do you get small, good-quality patches?

Get mine from chainreactioncycles.com
Rema Tip Top Puncture Repair Kit TT02 @ €5.49

Tar.Aldarion

I patch and they are fine at 120PSI.

I get any aul cheap patch set I can get.
Take off the tyre after cycling for a while and you can see why they are secure.

Idleater

fixie fox wrote: »

Ok - I'm back to patching. Where do you get small, good-quality patches?

I reckon that I have the same cut your own patch from this strip and rubber solution for 20 years. I can't remember when I bought them it's that long ago.

tomasrojo

Patching is fine for me. I inflate to about 6 bar/90psi.

cython

Will generally patch unless the size or location of the hole(s) makes it unfeasible. Have a good number of tubes in rotation though, so generally I would wait until I have at least 4-5 needing repair (enough to use a full puncture repair kit is a good number ) and basically blitz through them, as I can apply the solution to one tube while waiting for the first to dry, etc.

Thus far they seem to last pretty well (touch wood), and I have some tubes with several patches on them.

smacl

Currently running puncture resistant Durano plus tyres, and only see about one puncture per year if that. Last one was down to a valve problem so binned, others have been patched, and AFAIK tube in front tyre has a patch and been in there over a year.

Considering lighter tyres though, as I could live with the very occasional puncture for a couple of 100g less at this stage.

CramCycle

All my tubes are patched at the minute and are holding fine at 120psi, if I reattach the pump a week or two weeks later they are usually still at 80+psi

Nekarsulm

The tyre mostly prevents the tube from expanding, thus the patch on the tube expands only slightly and the thorn hole or whatever cannot exert a lifting force on the patch. I only ever use Tip Top patches and solution. German quality control among the best, I find.

Hunterbiker

Patch them.
Don't throw old tubes away as there is alaways a use for something.

Lumen

Halfords are doing 5 road tubes for 12 something euros at the moment.

killalanerr

I gave up on patching many years ago but a run on punctures late last year meant i had a collection of holed tubes hanging on a nail,i decided to repair them it took about 20min to repair them (6 tubes) and now i have a batch of tubes,i would be inclined not to use them on the race bike but they will do fine for the training bike and for Mrs ks bike
As an off topic since i have fitted the dutch non flat tyres on the training bike i have been san punctures,it is like riding on a solid wheel but no punctures.

Jabel

A tube with no patches?...Luxury!
When I were a lad we used to....:D

Bloch

As a related question, do you replace the tube after a certain number of patches? I got a puncture recently and noticed the tube already had 4 patches.

Time to throw it away?

SMacX

I patch all the time, and reuse the tube that end up to knackered to be patched for things like CO2 canister covers, multi-tool covers, emergency repairs on ripped tyres, etc.

I also used to repair tubular tyres, as long as I could find the exact location of the puncture, I'd rip the stitching on the back, repair the tube and use fine fishing line to repair the stitch. I raced for 6 years and only bought 2 tubs, as people used to give me a few to fix and I'd keep one for myself.

CramCycle

Bloch wrote: »

As a related question, do you replace the tube after a certain number of patches? I got a puncture recently and noticed the tube already had 4 patches.

Time to throw it away?

Honestly no idea but I heard one of the Audax lads say 5 is the accepted limt, so your still good for one more.

Mycroft H

Had a tyre with 7 patches on it until the valve stem started leaking. Keep em patched I say

Or else turn them into snoopy loops.

jimm

Bloch wrote: »

As a related question, do you replace the tube after a certain number of patches? I got a puncture recently and noticed the tube already had 4 patches.

Time to throw it away?

I bin them after 12. I'm kinda superstitious :rolleyes:

slap/dash

I'm an awful person I stopped patching 10 years ago. I figured that by the time a puncture happens the tube is compromised generally and there is that thought that the patched part sticks unduly to the inside of the tyre or at least makes for an uneven distribution of contact points leading to further flats. Talc can work I guess though

TheBlaaMan

Lumen wrote: »

Halfords are doing 5 road tubes for 12 something euros at the moment.

In shop only? I cannot see it on the site...........

Link?

Lumen

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

In shop only?

I bought them in the shop in Blanchardstown Centre.

If I die after a high speed blowout please put Halfords branding on my tombstone.

Peterx

Mycroft H wrote: »

Or else turn them into snoopy loops.

Had to google snoopy loops. Every day's a school day.

And yes to fixing up tubes.
I just bought a kit with 6 patches for €2.50. A new tube at €5 is 12 times more expensive.
Much like Killalaneer I fix a batch at a time, did 4 last night with a cuppa and off the ball on the wireless. More relaxing than ironing too.

CramCycle

Anyone know where to buy just the patches and not the whole shebang of glue (have 3 or 4 tubes) and sandpaper.

NeedMoreGears

I usually patch about half a dozen times. No problems at 110psi. I normally reinstall the punctured tube so that I can test the repair immediately. That way I can keep two unpunctured ones in case of emergencies.

cdaly_

CramCycle wrote: »

Anyone know where to buy just the patches and not the whole shebang of glue (have 3 or 4 tubes) and sandpaper.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/rema-tip-top-puncture-repair-patches/rp-prod46344

kumate_champ07

Bloch wrote: »

As a related question, do you replace the tube after a certain number of patches? I got a puncture recently and noticed the tube already had 4 patches.

Time to throw it away?

dont have to, not for a commuter anyway. by patch 4 its usually time to replace anyway. moisture can make the rubber go bad

for racing I always use a fresh tube, no patches. except latex tubes, I used to throw them out until I realized they could be patched. half of the time the puncture with latex is too bad to repair. Ive used a piece of another latex tube cut into a small circle, cant remember if it was tubular glue I used on that one, but its perfect at 120psi. and rema tip top patches work too
latex is also very sensitive to oil, so extra care is needed during repairs is needed





patches fail for a number of reasons:

the puncture hole was too big,

the area wasnt cleaned properly (I use sandpaper and acetone)

cement has to be applied to both areas and left to become tacky before fitting, takes a minute

apply alot of force after its been set properly, at home I cover the tube area with paper and then place under the leg of a heavy table

the rubber cement loses its effectiveness a few months after being opened.

Highway_To_Hell

haven't done it for years but when I was a broke kid use to use old tyres for patches

Kurtosis

CramCycle wrote: »

Anyone know where to buy just the patches and not the whole shebang of glue (have 3 or 4 tubes) and sandpaper.

cdaly_ wrote: »

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/rema-tip-top-puncture-repair-patches/rp-prod46344

It may nearly be better value buying a full puncture repair kit - four circular patches and two oblong patches for €3.49 in a kit versus six circular and one oblong patch for €3.99.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/weldtite-airtite-puncture-repair-kit/rp-prod7947

CramCycle

penguin88 wrote: »

It may nearly be better value buying a full puncture repair kit - four circular patches and two oblong patches for €3.49 in a kit versus six circular and one oblong patch for €3.99.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/weldtite-airtite-puncture-repair-kit/rp-prod7947

I am going to give H2Hs suggestion a go with the next puncture, one glue tube only half used and another unopened. I have a couple lying under the stairs that need repair, so we shall see how they hold up.

cdaly_

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

cement has to be applied to both areas and left to become tacky before fitting, takes a minute

apply alot of force after its been set properly

If you're using standard patches, the cement only needs to be applied to the tube. It should be allowed to dry and then the patch applied. The force should be applied immediately, it's the force at contact that matters, not how long it gets applied for.

penguin88 wrote: »

It may nearly be better value buying a full puncture repair kit - four circular patches and two oblong patches for €3.49 in a kit versus six circular and one oblong patch for €3.99.

True nuff but it feels wasteful. Actually, last time I bought patches it was a pack of about 20 patches in the local E'Leclerc hypermarche on the holidays in France. They also had big tubes of cement (of which I bought one)...

kumate_champ07

cdaly_ wrote: »

If you're using standard patches, the cement only needs to be applied to the tube. It should be allowed to dry and then the patch applied. The force should be applied immediately, it's the force at contact that matters, not how long it gets applied for.



True nuff but it feels wasteful. Actually, last time I bought patches it was a pack of about 20 patches in the local E'Leclerc hypermarche on the holidays in France. They also had big tubes of cement (of which I bought one)...

standard application of contact adhesive is both surfaces have the glue applied

Im open to correction as its a vulcanization process,
tho tubular tyres are installed with both rim and tyre coated , the base tape contains latex glue already

carthoris

penguin88 wrote: »

It may nearly be better value buying a full puncture repair kit - four circular patches and two oblong patches for €3.49 in a kit versus six circular and one oblong patch for €3.99.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/weldtite-airtite-puncture-repair-kit/rp-prod7947

The postage is significant but Rose have the same six circular and one oblong for €1.80 (http://www.rosebikes.com/article/tip-top-patch-assortment/aid:49467) or 10 circular patches (16mm) for €1.90 (http://www.rosebikes.com/article/tip-top-tube-patches/aid:49463)

The kits are about €1.80 also.

Type 17

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

standard application of contact adhesive is both surfaces have the glue applied

Im open to correction as its a vulcanization process,
tho tubular tyres are installed with both rim and tyre coated , the base tape contains latex glue already

Contact adhesive does need application to both sides, but bike puncture glue is not a contact adhesive, it works by sticking to a super-clean surface (the back of the patch) after it has dried. If done well, it is impossible to peel off the patch without tearing the tube up with it (it's almost like it melts the two surfaces together).

Tip for good puncture repairs: if you have space in your bag, or are repairing tubes at home, use a relatively large sheet of sandpaper (about 120 - 240 grit) - it's much easier to prepare the surface of the tube properly with a decent-sized piece that you can hold easily, and this is the key to doing a good job - you need to remove all of the shininess and seam-lines in the area the patch will lie, any shininess or seam-bumps means the patch may lift.

PS: There is no limit to the number of patches that can be put on a tube, once none of them overlap, or are too close to the valve - As an impoverished youth/student in the 80's, using old, thin tyres (26 x 1⅜) with no built-in protection, my record was 19 before a tear at the valve finished it off!

the boss of me

Dealz stock puncture repair kits including metal tyre levers for €1.49. I always stitch the patch to the tube by giving.its bit of.a.squeeze with a vice grip.. I've yet to have a patch lift..

The tax man

Work surprisingly well and the tiny package just slips away into a saddlebag,just in case you have a really unlucky day.

Park Tool super patch kit.

bedirect

patching works ok for me to 120 psi, avoid leaving your bike in the sun light as this can causes patches to lift off

JustAddWater

the boss of me wrote: »

Dealz stock puncture repair kits including metal tyre levers for €1.49. I always stitch the patch to the tube by giving.its bit of.a.squeeze with a vice grip.. I've yet to have a patch lift..

they come with metal tyre levers which scraped my wheel..... Great patches but for the love of god, get plastic levers

Steo M

I've bought puncture repair kits before were you've used all the patches & been left with a 3/4's full tube of glue, anybody know where in Dublin you can just buy the puncture repair patch strips which can be cut with a scissor to the size you need.

browsing

Steo M wrote: »

I've bought puncture repair kits before were you've used all the patches & been left with a 3/4's full tube of glue, anybody know where in Dublin you can just buy the puncture repair patch strips which can be cut with a scissor to the size you need.

halfords. it's the same stuff bike shops used in the past. (any shops still repair tubes?) the also sell large tubes ogre glue. good value at 4 quid each and excellent quality

Sam Kade

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

haven't done it for years but when I was a broke kid use to use old tyres for patches

Nice link now show us how you patched tubes with old tyres

manwithaplan

Can those who can't be arsed patching tubes have the courage to answer the OP's question. The Ray Mears fest is beginning to grate .

CramCycle

manwithaplan wrote: »

Can those who can't be arsed patching tubes have the courage to answer the OP's question. The Ray Mears fest is beginning to grate .

I patch tubes succesfully, quick patches like the park tools stick on ones fail but the old school glue and patch seem to hold until the tube develops other issues eg 3 other holes in different places or a rip at the valve..

thejaguar

I get about 10 or 15 punctures a year - my commute is a bit of a nightmare for bits of glass and general crap.
So my tubes have patches all over them. I've yet to have a patch fail, can't say the same for every other part of the tubes/tyres.

I bought 10 tubes and 2 puncture repairs kits a couple of years ago and the chap in the shop looked at me as if I was a nut. I've pretty much gotten through the lot.